Did you know over 450 horror movies were released in 2025? Yeah, it’s been a wild year for the genre. But if you don’t have the time (or the stomach) to sift through them all, I got you covered. I’ve narrowed it down to the 13 best horror movies of 2025—the ones that genuinely got under my skin, stuck in my brain, or made me want to call my therapist (again).
Some of these are streaming, some are available to rent, and some you should just flat-out own. Let’s get into it.
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13. The Long Walk
I read The Long Walk as a teenager and remember being fully obsessed with how absolutely brutal it was. So when the adaptation finally got announced, my inner 14-year-old was screaming. It’s been a long time coming—and honestly, it was worth the wait.
Set in an alternate 1970s America, the story follows 50 boys (one from each state) selected to participate in an annual government-sponsored event called, well, The Long Walk. They’re forced to walk nonstop at a minimum pace of 3mph. Fall behind too many times? You’re executed on the spot. Yeah, it’s like The Hunger Games if it were way bleaker and had no sponsors, no arena, no glitz—just pain, death, and empty roads.
Cooper Hoffman leads as Ray, with a strong supporting cast that includes David Jonsson and an unrecognizable Mark Hamill as the ruthless General. The performances hit hard, but it’s the quiet moments that really linger—the exhaustion, the friendships, the slow unraveling of hope. The kills feel intimate and heavy. Each one hurts a little more than the last.
Francis Lawrence directs with the same steady hand he brought to the Hunger Games series, while J.T. Molner’s script keeps it tight and devastating. This one toes the line between dystopian thriller and full-blown horror, but trust me—some of these scenes are pure nightmare fuel.
If you’ve got the stomach for it, The Long Walk is streaming now on HBO Max. Just be prepared to feel like trash afterward. In the best way.
Where to buy: Amazon
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12. Together
Together is one of the most unsettling horror debuts of the year and easily the squirmiest relationship drama you’ll see in 2025. Directed by Michael Shanks in his first feature outing, the film blends codependency and body horror into something that feels both deeply personal and totally unhinged.
Alison Brie and Dave Franco (married IRL) play a couple who relocate to a new town, hoping for a fresh start. But after seeking shelter in a creepy-ass cave overnight during a storm, things start getting… sticky. Literally. Franco’s character begins seizing randomly, and the two become physically—and disturbingly—bonded in ways that go way beyond emotional attachment.
This is a horror movie about settling. About staying in a relationship that’s decaying from the inside. And Shanks manifests that metaphor through body-melding, flesh-twisting, joint-snapping terror that had me physically recoiling in my seat. The chemistry between Brie and Franco makes the unraveling feel authentic, and Damon Herriman adds a perfect soft-spoken counterbalance as the friendly neighbor.
The ending? Think Vivarium if it got tangled in some Society-style practical effects. It’s uncanny, surreal, and leaves you with that gnawing “ew but also damn” feeling.
There was some drama around the script with accusations of idea theft, but that seems to have fizzled out. What didn’t fizzle? That $32 million box office haul, making Together one of the year’s most successful horror debuts. And a deeply gross one at that.
Where to Buy: Amazon
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11. Weapons
Weapons might be the most divisive horror film of the year, but I genuinely don’t get the hate. No, it’s not the best horror movie of 2025, but it was hands-down one of the most entertaining theater experiences I had all year.
The premise is wild—a whole class of kids vanishes in the same night, except for one. What follows is a trippy, chapter-based mystery told from multiple POVs as the community scrambles to figure out what the hell happened. Julia Garner plays the class teacher, Josh Brolin is a grieving parent, and Austin Abrams steals the show as James, the sketchy but weirdly endearing druggy. (Yes, I’m the one guy who recognized him from Silicon Valley.)
The narrative structure works like a charm. It keeps the suspense fresh and the pacing tight, and there’s one scene involving a hair theft in a parked car that absolutely crawled under my skin.
Sure, the third act goes full chaos and not everyone will vibe with where it lands. But the ending is memorable, shocking, and gave the film that extra kick to stick in your brain long after the credits rolled. Gladys, our villain, is unhinged, iconic, and better left mysterious—no need for a damn prequel.
Where to Buy: Amazon
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10. Final Destination: Bloodlines
I was nervous about Final Destination: Bloodlines when it was first announced. This franchise has been through it over the years, and the last thing I wanted was another limp sequel to drag it down. But Bloodlines? It surprised the hell out of me.
While Final Destination 5 brilliantly looped back to the original plane crash (seriously, what a perfect ending), Bloodlines doesn’t try to piggyback off that twist. Instead, it creates its own space within the universe and stands solidly on its own. You don’t need to brush up on the past films to enjoy this one, but longtime fans will definitely catch the little nods.
The story follows a college student haunted by brutal recurring nightmares who returns home to uncover the truth behind a family curse. The premonition scene here? Easily one of the best in the franchise. It’s creative, intense, and had me holding my breath. And since the deaths all revolve around one family, the stakes feel more personal than ever.
The kills are gnarly in classic Final Destination fashion, but there’s also a surprising amount of humor that balances things out nicely. Richard Harmon delivers a standout performance, and the Tony Todd cameo hits hard.
It’s not perfect, but it’s fun, clever, and bloody in all the right ways. Final Destination: Bloodlines is streaming on HBO Max, and if you’re a fan of the series, this one’s absolutely worth your time.
Where to Buy: Amazon
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9. Heart Eyes
I didn’t think I needed a Valentine’s Day slasher in my life this year, but Heart Eyes shut me up fast. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or you think Cupid’s a creep, this movie brings something to the table for every horror fan.
Set in Seattle, the film follows Ally, a marketing pro whose V-Day campaign is flopping hard. Enter Jay, the out-of-town consultant brought in to help save the day. The twist? They get mistaken for a couple, which makes them the next targets of the Heart Eyes killer—a madman who’s been picking off couples around the city for the last three years.
Josh Ruben directs this one, and honestly, it might be my favorite thing he’s done. It’s got that perfect early 2000s slasher energy with a smart blend of rom-com banter, bloody kills, and a stylish masked villain who somehow gives The Collector vibes but with glowing red hearts for eyes.
It’s funny, it’s fast-paced, it’s brutally violent in all the right ways, and it never overstays its welcome. The whodunnit element keeps things fun, and the chemistry between Ally and Jay is solid without ever getting too cheesy.
Heart Eyes is streaming now on Peacock, and while it’s built for Valentine’s Day, trust me, this one hits any time of year. Especially if you’re in the mood to watch love get absolutely annihilated.
Where to Buy: Amazon
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8. Sinners
Sinners is one of the most divisive horror releases of the year, but for me, it absolutely earns its spot. Some people will argue it’s not “real” horror (those people are wrong), but when you watch it with an open mind, you realize just how much it brings to the genre.
Michael B. Jordan stars in dual roles as twin brothers trying to escape their past by returning to their hometown—only to run headfirst into a much older, much darker evil. Think From Dusk Till Dawn, but wrapped in gothic vampire vibes and placed in one of the most unique and thematically heavy settings I’ve seen in a while.
Ryan Coogler doesn’t just make a vampire movie. He tells a story about race, legacy, and the monsters we create and inherit. The way this film connects vampires and white supremacy is bold and honestly kind of genius. And let’s talk about the music—Ludwig Göransson’s score is unreal. One particular sequence had my jaw on the floor and chills down my spine.
The cast is stacked and flawless across the board. Jack O’Connell gives depth to a vampire villain who could have easily been one-note, and the whole film is packed with nuance and tension.
Where to Buy: Amazon
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7. Dangerous Animals
Dangerous Animals is the best shark movie since Jaws. Yeah, I said it. But don’t go in expecting another toothy creature feature where the sharks are the villains. This one flips the formula and gives us a killer who’s far more terrifying than anything lurking underwater.
Jai Courtney plays a deranged serial killer who runs a shark-viewing tourist business in Australia. His idea of a good time? Luring in tourists and turning them into shark food. His obsession with sharks is next-level, and the fact that he casually hums Baby Shark while doing horrific things makes it even more unnerving. It’s easily his best performance, and you can tell he’s having a blast being unhinged.
But the real standout is Zephyr, the latest unlucky traveler who ends up in his clutches. She’s a fantastic final girl—clever, resilient, and someone you’ll be rooting for from start to finish.
This movie is Creep meets Jaws, with some slasher energy thrown in for good measure. It’s tense, bloody, and surprisingly fun. One scene toward the end almost lost me, but honestly, the ride was worth it. The nods to horror classics, the cat-and-mouse pacing, and that perfect level of cheese made this an unexpected standout.
Dangerous Animals is currently streaming on Shudder, and if you love survival horror with a fresh twist, it’s absolutely worth sinking your teeth into.
Where to Buy: Amazon
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6. Frankenstein
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy Frankenstein as much as I did, but leave it to Guillermo Del Toro to take a story we’ve seen a hundred times and make it feel brand new. This Netflix adaptation had me completely locked in, and I’m honestly kicking myself for ever doubting it.
The cast is stacked. We’ve got Jacob Elordi as the monster, fully disappearing into the role in a way that’s both heartbreaking and terrifying. Oscar Isaac plays Victor Frankenstein with the perfect mix of brilliance and arrogance. And then there’s Mia Goth, who somehow pulls off playing both Victor’s mother and future sister-in-law without it feeling weird. It just works.
The film stays true to the emotional core of the classic story, but Del Toro adds his signature style. It’s visually stunning with this gothic-fantasy glow that makes every frame feel rich and immersive. The VFX, the sound design, the pacing—it’s all on point.
Yes, some might say this leans more toward dark fantasy than straight horror, but come on. We’ve got gore, body horror, tragic monsters, and themes of life, death, and consequence. It counts. And it hits.
Frankenstein is intimate, emotional, and gorgeous. Easily one of the best films of the year. It’s streaming now on Netflix and nominated for 6 Golden Globes. Watch it, and let me know—Frankenstein or Nosferatu? I know where I stand.
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5. Strange Harvest
It kills me that there wasn’t more found footage to celebrate this year, but the one that absolutely earned a spot on this list is Strange Harvest. What starts out feeling like your average true crime doc quickly unravels into something way more disturbing and cosmic in scale.
The story centers around an unsolved series of murders linked to a killer known as “Mr. Shiny.” At first, it plays like a gritty serial killer documentary with detective interviews, reenactments, security cam footage, and some incredibly gnarly crime scene photos. But just when you think you’ve got the format figured out, the movie takes a sharp left turn into cosmic horror territory.
Without spoiling too much, let’s just say Mr. Shiny might not be working alone. Or even working for himself.
If you’re into stories that explore the terrifying unknown and humanity’s insignificance in the grand scheme of things, this is your jam. Think The Endless, The Void, The Empty Man, or In the Mouth of Madness. The atmosphere is heavy, the pacing is tight, and the found footage elements make it feel painfully real at times.
Also, it’s from Stuart Ortiz, one half of the duo behind Grave Encounters, which should be all you need to know. He knows exactly how to do found footage right.
Strange Harvest is streaming now on Hulu and it’s a must-watch for fans of cosmic horror, true crime, and unsettling mysteries that get under your skin.
Where to Buy: Amazon
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4. 28 Years Later
28 Years Later had massive expectations to live up to, and it delivered. This third entry in the 28 Days/Weeks series could have easily collapsed under the weight of fan nostalgia, but instead it kicks open the door with a blood-soaked grin and brings something fresh to the table.
The story follows a group of survivors living on a remote island, safe from the rage virus. But when one of them ventures back to the mainland, he finds a world mutated beyond recognition. The infected are still terrifying, but the real danger might be what humanity has turned into.
This is a high-intensity zombie flick with an unexpected emotional core. It mixes in a bit of coming-of-age drama, a sprinkle of folk horror, and some legitimately tear-jerking moments that caught me off guard. It also plays around with some wild filmmaking choices—iPhone footage, zombie POV shots, chaotic editing—and somehow makes it all work.
The trailer didn’t give much away, which made the experience even better. And while the ending will definitely spark debate, the sequel Bone Temple is just around the corner, so hang tight.
If you’re a fan of the series or just want a creative, gritty take on the zombie genre, this one’s a must-watch.
Where to Buy: Amazon
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3. Marshmallow
Marshmallow might look like your standard summer camp slasher at first glance, but don’t be fooled. Beneath the campfire tales and creepy legends, this one has a lot more going on. It’s clever, emotional, and quietly one of the most surprising horror gems of 2025.
The story follows Morgan, a quiet, introverted 12-year-old with a deep fear of drowning, who shows up to a remote camp carrying more baggage than just a backpack. The kids pass the time swapping spooky stories, including one about a mysterious figure that supposedly haunts the campgrounds. You can guess what happens next… or can you?
What makes Marshmallow so special is how it leans into the familiar summer camp setup but constantly subverts expectations. It’s never trying to out-scare you, it’s trying to say something. About fear. About growing up. About being brave when you feel the smallest. And it absolutely nails it.
Think The Goonies meets Friday the 13th, but make it emotionally intelligent and kid-friendly(ish). It’s the kind of movie that will hit different depending on when you watch it. Plus, it’s totally worth a rewatch once you know where it goes.
Don’t be surprised if this one becomes a cult classic.
Where to Buy: Amazon
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2. The Ugly Stepsister
The Ugly Stepsister was hands-down the biggest surprise of 2025 for me. What starts as a twisted Cinderella reimagining quickly spirals into full-blown body horror mayhem, and I was not prepared for how nasty this one gets.
The setup feels familiar: a mother and her two daughters move to a new town after she marries an older man. He dies almost immediately (classic), leaving them broke, but with a surprise daughter from a previous relationship still in the picture. And then the obsession kicks in. Our main character, Elvira, becomes her mother’s project, her one shot at marrying into money. What follows is a disturbing descent into manipulation, obsession, and some of the most uncomfortable transformation scenes I’ve seen in years.
We’re talking eye stuff, foot stuff, internal body horror, it goes there. It goes all the way there. But the wildest part? It’s visually stunning. The entire film has this eerie, Victorian fairytale aesthetic that makes everything feel even more surreal and messed up. Like if the Brothers Grimm directed Possession.
This movie is mean, gorgeous, and completely unhinged. If you’re even mildly into body horror, you’re going to eat this up.
The Ugly Stepsister is currently streaming on Shudder. Trust me—you’re not ready.
Where to Buy: Amazon
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1. Bring Her Back
Bring Her Back is, without question, my favorite horror movie of 2025—and honestly, it’s not even close. This movie hit me in ways nothing else did all year. It’s devastating, bleak, gory, mysterious, strangely beautiful, and written with a level of care that’s becoming rare in modern horror.
Directed by the Philippou brothers (Talk to Me), Bring Her Back takes everything they did well in their previous film and cranks it to an almost unbearable level. After the death of their father, a brother and sister are placed in the care of a foster mother who is hiding a truly horrifying secret. And when I say horrifying, I mean vile. Sally Hawkins delivers one of the most hateable horror villains in recent memory—every choice she makes is heartbreaking, maniacal, and deeply unsettling.
The film blends psychological, occult, and supernatural horror into a seamless nightmare, all while tackling grief, trauma, and family in a way that actually works. I thought I was burnt out on “elevated grief horror,” but Bring Her Back proved me very wrong.
Fair warning: this movie does not pull its punches. There’s little relief, no playful humor, and an ending that will leave you emotionally wrecked. Think Martyrs, Eden Lake, or We Need to Talk About Kevin levels of devastation.
It’s brutal. It’s beautiful. And it’s easily one of the most hard‑hitting horror films of the last five years.
Where to Buy: Amazon
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Final Thoughts
That brings a close to the 2025 year. What a year it’s been for horror. What were your favorite horror movies this year? Let me know down below, especially if our lists were similar in any way. Remember to sign up for the Nonstop Horror newsletter for weekly horror movie recommendations!
